1884.] 171 [Garman. 



the same time records the steps in the work of the special investi- 

 gator ; the more desirable of the authorities are retained ; subdi- 

 vision when necessary is not prevented by dread of long names ; 

 the symbol, preceding the name, is not to be overlooked or con- 

 fused with the abbreviations for authorities ; more complex rela- 

 tionships can be indicated as readily as the more simple. 



Of course it is not expected that we shall soon have use for five 

 or six or more subdivisions, but we should build for time to come. 

 Unless a system is soon to be thrown aside as useless it must be 

 prepared for the needs of the future. Whether the trinomialist 

 agrees or not, the recognition of varieties of varieties or of varie- 

 ties of subvarieties will be countenanced. His objections to sub- 

 division are only new forms of those put forward against making 

 varieties of species a short time ago. Research is not at all likely 

 to end when the capabilities of a trinomial system are exhausted. 

 No doubt any system that may be devised will be imperfect 

 enough, yet this would be a poor reason for adopting one that is 

 evidently but a makeshift for present use. 



Mr. C. O. Whitman discussed the various theories of the origin 

 of vertebrates, advocating their annelidan ancestry. 



Dr. G. L. Goodale showed a collection of vegetable monstrosi- 

 ties arranged according to Dr. Masters' classification, and prepared 

 by Mr. Herbert Watson. 



General Meeting, April 2, 1884. 



The President, Mr. S. H. Scudder, in the chair. Twenty-five 

 persons present. 



Prof. G. Frederick Wright gave an account of his last summer's 

 field work in tracing the continental terminal moraine through 

 Indiana, and discussed the effects of a glacial ice-clam across the 

 Ohio at Cincinnati. 



Professor E. S. Morse described the various methods of ancient 



